Rayon

Rayon is a 2D architectural drafting tool that pairs CAD commands with BIM tools, AI features, and live collaboration. It suits interior designers and architects who need to develop and share plans in 2D; it is a weaker fit for 3D work or workflows that depend on large imports and unrestricted exports at no cost.

Overview

Rayon brings architectural drafting and model information into one workspace, with AI tools for finding or generating assets, answering CAD questions, creating architectural visuals, and turning images into vector sketches or wireframes. Its collaborative editing, comments, doodles, and public-link sharing make it useful when a plan needs input from others rather than remaining a solo drawing.

The product is explicitly 2D, not 3D software. That distinction matters: Rayon is aimed at making architectural plans, not at replacing a 3D modeling workflow. It imports DWG, DXF, PDF, and image files, but each import is capped at 25 MB. Exports include PNG, PDF, DWG, and DXF, though the Free plan restricts PDF and DWG export.

Key features

Drafting, libraries, and AI

Rayon combines drafting commands with BIM tools, providing a purpose-built setting for architectural plans rather than a general-purpose drawing canvas. A library of more than 4,000 elements and over 100 templates gives users starting material for common drawing needs; the ability to create personal libraries and templates helps teams shape a reusable workflow. Full library access is reserved for paid plans, so Free users face a meaningful constraint if they rely on extensive blocks and styles.

AI features cover several stages of the work: locating or generating assets, answering CAD questions, generating architectural visuals, and converting images into vector sketches or wireframes. Credits are capped weekly on Pro and Team, so those plans provide recurring AI capacity rather than an unlimited allowance.

Collaboration and sharing

Realtime editing, comments, and doodles support review while a plan is being developed. Public links allow drawings to be shared without making every viewer an editor; guest access is also supported. Presentation mode and a brand kit add options for presenting work, though Rayon’s core focus remains 2D drafting.

Pricing

Rayon uses a freemium model, with a Free plan and a 15-day free trial for Team. The paid plan prices below are monthly; Pro is billed per month, while Team is billed per month, per editor.

Free is a reasonable way to work with the full editing experience and public models, but limited exports, libraries, and a seven-day history make it less suited to ongoing professional work that needs private models or complete deliverables. Pro is the more direct fit for an individual who needs private models, complete PDF and DWG export, and personal reusable resources; its 100 weekly AI credits and async support set boundaries on AI use and assistance.

Team costs more per editor, but adds team libraries and templates, team-level billing, twice Pro’s weekly AI credits, and live personal support. It suits groups that value shared resources and faster support; because the charge is per editor, the total rises with the number of editors. Pro and Team both provide unlimited private models, full PDF and DWG export, full library access, and unlimited model history.

Platforms

Rayon is available on the web and as desktop apps for Windows and macOS. That covers browser-based access and two desktop environments, but no mobile platform is listed among its supported platforms.

Who it's for

Rayon is best suited to interior designers and architects who want 2D architectural drafting with BIM tools, built-in assets, and collaboration in the same product. It is also a plausible choice for teams that need live review and shared templates, particularly on Team. Look elsewhere if the work requires 3D software, imports larger than 25 MB, or unrestricted PDF and DWG export without a paid plan.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Drafting commands and BIM tools are combined for architectural plans, with a substantial element library and more than 100 templates to help establish a drawing workflow.
• Pros: Realtime editing, comments, doodles, public links, and guest access support collaboration and review.
• Pros: AI covers asset discovery and creation, CAD questions, visuals, and image-to-vector conversion rather than being limited to one task.
• Cons: Rayon is 2D, not 3D software, so it cannot serve as a 3D modeling tool.
• Cons: Imports are capped at 25 MB, which can rule out larger source files.
• Cons: The Free plan limits PDF and DWG export, libraries, and model history; professional users needing complete outputs and longer history will need a paid plan.

Alternatives

For more options in this category, browse Architecture Software or Mood Board Software.

Milanote is worth considering when the priority is collecting and arranging notes, images, or links across shared boards rather than drafting architectural plans. Its Free plan allows 100 notes, images, or links, 10 file uploads, and unlimited shared boards; it is available on web, desktop, mobile, and as an extension.

Moodis is an alternative for local mood boards, with a Free plan that allows unlimited boards for personal, non-commercial use. PureRef is another option to consider; Kanvaz is free forever, MIT licensed, and has no feature paywall. ShopLook keeps its creative canvas and existing features free, while Mattoboard offers a free plan with 5 Matto AI credits, up to 10 images per board, and 4 Deep Renders per month.

MoodBoard AI may suit someone looking for a web-based moodboard tool with AI generations, AI chat, and a free allowance of one board per month. Moodboard is another web-based free option, offering an evolving spatial board with images, notes, links, tasks, files, starter templates, and sharing and review features.

Verdict

Choose Rayon if you need 2D architectural plans supported by BIM tools, AI, and real-time collaboration, and are prepared to pay for full exports, private models, and complete libraries. Its strongest case is a connected drafting and review workflow; its clearest reasons to look elsewhere are the lack of 3D and the Free plan’s export and history limits.